“When you hear it, it’s like the sound of children laughing,” Jake Shimabukuro said while describing his instrument of choice, the ukulele.
Growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, Shimabukuro started playing ukulele at 4 years old. At age 14, he began taking an unusual approach to the instrument. Now a world-class ukulele performer, Shimabukuro draws inspiration from a variety of musical styles and instruments, using the ukulele’s simple two-octave range in eccentric, complex tunes.
Shimabukuro has performed in Chico multiple times. He will return on Oct. 19 for a show at Laxson Auditorium.
Shimabukuro’s touring career took off in 2005 when a video of him playing his rendition of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral.
“I didn’t even know what YouTube was at the time, so I was totally surprised when people started telling me they’d seen a video of me playing ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps,’” he said.
Since then, Shimabukuro has performed with many musicians at prestigious venues all over the world. He has also made appearances on many media outlets, such as “Good Morning America,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” ”Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and more.
He used to tour about half the year. Recently, he scaled it back to about 130-140 shows per year, visiting anywhere that will have him.
“I’m just happy to play anywhere that people want me to play,” he said.
Today, Shimabukuro tours as a trio with Nolan Verner, on electric base, and Dave Preston, on electric guitar.
“They’re both such great musicians,” he said. “It’s such a joy being able to share the stage and play with them.”
Shimabukuro said these alternate instruments add totally new dimensions to his sound.
“It’s a really cool sound,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to imagine what electric base, electric guitar and ukulele would sound like — but it really works. I’ve been really happy with the results.”
Recently, he has also been toying with more effects in his music, using tools like looping and overdrive pedals. He enjoys experimenting while always appreciating the base acoustic sound he started with.
“It’s nice to kind of change it up for a song or two and just bend people’s ears or make them hear the instrument in a different way,” he said.
Even though his act has evolved and changed, Shimabukuro still performs many of his old tunes. He said solo hits, like his rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” will always remain in his sets.
During a live performance, more than half his music consists of originals. The rest is recognizable covers.
Shimabukuro said he writes music with Ukulele because he loves the instrument’s simplicity. He said people can learn a few chords and easily play songs right out of the box.
He also said the instrument’s playful tamber is far more versatile than many people realize.
“It brings me a lot of joy. That’s why I love playing it,” he said.
Shimabukuro will perform at Laxson Auditorium, 400 W. First St., at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19.
Tickets cost $28 for adults, $26 for seniors and $15 for youth and Chico State students. Premium tickets cost $35.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2IOp6iy.